Stream and Wetland Question & Answer

:The area of vegetation next to a stream that affects the ecology of that stream.

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99% can’t answer: What are benthic macroinvertebrates?

:Aquatic life with no spines that you can see without a microscope living on the bottom of streams.

Welcome to the top 1%.

Learn more about some of our most commonly asked questions below!

Are beavers a problem for salmon and trout, and, if so, how do I manage them?

Beavers are Mother Natures best engineers. They make dams on streams, creeks and rivers that last a long time. The upstream ponds become wonderful habitat for juvenile salmon and trout and a wide range of wildlife. However, in urban areas where homes and businesses are too close to streams, beaver ponds often become a problem for people. We recommend that you learn about this amazing creature’s habits and habitat requirements and consider different approaches to “living with beavers”. A great place to begin this process is at the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Beaver Website. If you are in the Puget Sound Region, you can contract with us to survey your property and provide you with management recommendations.

Are there any environmentally friendly fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides for gardeners?

According to the EPA, gardeners are some of the worst polluters in the U.S. because they use too many fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. There are some gardening products out there that are safer than others and many techniques that can be put to use around your home and yard that will help you live better without chemicals. Check out how you can Grow Smart-Grow Safe!

Chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout are now listed as “Threatened Species.” What does that mean?

When numbers of fish get so low that they are nearing extinction, they can be considered as a threatened or Endangered Species Act (ESA) (summary of the ESA). In June 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service adopted a rule prohibiting the “take” of 14 groups of salmon and steelhead listed as threatened species under the ESA. You can learn what that means by going to the following link: Final 4(d) Rule.

How do I “adopt a stream?”

This is the most asked question at the Adopt A Stream Foundation. We have developed five steps to adopting a stream that work anywhere USA and around the world. Take a look at those steps and let us know if you have any more questions. Also, let us know how they work for you!

How do I do a “stream cleanup?”

The answer to this question is a bit more complicated than you might think. There are several actions that should be taken before you “get your feet wet.” The Stream Cleanup Tips extracted from the Streamkeepers Field Guide provide you clear directions on how to make this type of activity successful…please share this information!

How do streams work?

Wow! What a short question that requires a very long answer after a lot of research. There are great references available from the Adopt A Stream Foundation Nature Store and many other sources, however, to peak your interest and begin to learn how streams work, take a look at a great article by Pulitzer Prize winning writer and Streamkeeper Academy Adjunct Professor, William Deitrich: Watery Web of Life.

I see a guy on a bulldozer in my local stream…is that legal?

That is a good question and the answer depends on more information. In most states (U.S) or provinces (Canada) the permits must be issued from federal or state/provincial governments before you can do work in streams. Except for emergency situations, in-stream work in the Pacific NW is limited to the summer months to minimize impacts on fragile salmon resources. In addition there may be local government permits required.

OK, I live in Washington State and I know that the guy on the bulldozer in my local creek does not have a permit to be there…what can I do?

If you know the person and feel comfortable talking with him, let him know that he should get a permit from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and that he may need additional permits. If you do not feel comfortable sharing that information, we recommend that you call your regional office of the WDFW and ask to speak with a WDFW Enforcement Officer. In advance, be prepared with a clear description of the situation and very clear directions to the problem site. If you notice the situation after regular working hours or on weekends, call 911 and ask the dispatcher to connect you with a WDFW Enforcement Officer.

So what happens if my watershed gets covered with a lot of roof tops, parking lots, and driveways?

As Dr. James Karr states in the video Fresh Waters Flowing, “as we develop our watersheds, we fundamentally change the flow of water.” As we add layers of impervious surfaces, stormwater runoff increases during rainstorms. Stream levels rise rapidly and velocities increase. Often, stream banks erode and salmon and trout spawning areas are scoured away. For some of the best science on this topic read the Cumulative Effects of Urbanization on Small Streams in the Puget Sound Lowland Ecoregion by Chris May…then share that information with your local government elected officials and ask them to require all new development be required to be designed using low impact design techniques. A good example of a residential LID project is the Clearwater Commons. The Snoqualmie Ice Cream Factory is a good commercial example.

What kind of compost should I use in my garden?

Try not to use peat moss since it was mined from a peat bog and took hundreds of years to form. Instead, try to use another organic material like composted cattle manure or coconut husks. Soon, those of you who live in the greater Seattle area will be able to get great compost from the Qualco Energy plant that is making electricity from methane gas produced by local dairy cattle…the byproduct is a very high quality compost!

What rights do I have when it comes to water polluters?

That is a great question. As a citizen of the U.S., you actually have the quite a bit of authority under the the Clean Water Act. In fact, section 505 of that act specifically enables citizens to sue polluters!

Who makes the decisions on where shopping centers and housing developments go in my watershed?

Those decisions rest with your local government elected officials who sit on the local town, City or County councils that share your watershed. Comprehensive Land Use Plans establish policies directing how commercial, industrial and residential properties should be developed and the level of environmental protection that should occur. Zoning Plans layout where development can occur in your watershed by type. Get to know your local elected official and ask them what they are doing to protect your stream. If you don’t like the answer, let them know before the next election. Also, back in the 1970’s, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was adopted requiring all States to establish laws that required developers to disclose environmental impacts associated with their projects. Now, each state has such a law. For example, in Washington State, there is the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Thanks to these laws, you have an opportunity comment on environmental impacts!!